Page 14 - Christie's Inidian and HImalayan Works of Art, March 2019

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF BARONESS EVA BESSENYEY
(LOTS 601-640 AND LOTS 719-724)

606
A BRONZE FIGURE OF SHADAKSHARI LOKESHVARA
TIBET, 14TH-15TH CENTURY
5æ in. (14.6 cm.) high
$10,000-15,000

PROVENANCE
Christie’s New York, 20 September 2006, lot 158

The present example of Shadakshari Lokeshvara, associated
with the pervasive six-syllable mantra om mani padme hum, is
ornamented with semi-precious stones. The square face is also a
mark of its Tibetan origin, while the proportionate physique and
simple lotus base surrounded with beaded rims point to a relatively
early date of creation.
Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24475.

606

607
A SILVER-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF
BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI
TIBET, 15TH CENTURY
5¡ in. (13.6 cm.) high
$8,000-12,000

PROVENANCE
Property of the Alsdorf Foundation; Sotheby’s New York,
26 March 1998, lot 290
The historical Buddha, depicted here as the sage of the diamond
throne (Tib. thubpa dorje den) is seated atop a double-lotus base,
displaying the bhumisparshamudra, or earth-touching gesture,
in recognition of his defeat of Mara and his achievement of
enlightenment. Bodhgaya, the site where Shakyamuni attained
enlightenment, was originally referred to as Vajrasana, and
Himalayan sculptors often used the vajra as a visual symbol for
this location.
The sculpture is emblazoned with a dedicatory inscription in
Tibetan Uchen script: This image of Shakyamuni was erected by
the patron Konchok Peldzin, chiefy for the welfare of his parents.
With this merit, may all sentient beings swiftly achieve Buddhahood.
Auspiciousness!

Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24480.
607